by David Petrie
“We will find you.” Max fought back tears as Ginger leaned against his side.
“We will.” She held him tight. “I already have a plan.”
Farn sniffed, letting her tears fall freely.
Alastair placed a hand on her shoulder. “We’ll get her back in no time.”
“Thanks.” Farn placed her hand on his. “I know we will.”
“And you can give her that ring again.” Corvin gave her a warm smile.
“And her underwear,” Kegan added.
“Kegan?” Alastair threw an arm around the Leaf.
“Yeah?”
“Shut up.”
“Oh.”
Max dropped his hands to his sides, noticing something new hanging from his belt right where the evil knife had been. Except this time it wasn’t a weapon. No, instead it was a small, silver flask, wrapped in a decorative leather strap.
“Huh.” Max pulled it free from his belt and unscrewed the top to smell the contents. The familiar scent of fermented apples filled his nose. He took a sip, remembering the taste from the many nights that he’d spent with everyone in the Hanging Frederick back in Valain. They hadn’t been there since they had lost Kira. Until now, Max wasn’t aware of how much he missed it. After a long drink from the flask pulled it away and wiped his mouth.
“It’s cider.” He couldn’t help but smile.
Ginger immediately grabbed the flask and tipped it back, pulling it away just as fast. “Oh, damn.” She let out a wild laugh before taking a second drink. “It’s rum for me. Good rum at that.” She handed it to Farn. “You try.”
Farn took a moment to wipe the mouth of the flask on her cape before taking a sip. Her eyes widened, then she tipped it back further, taking several large gulps before stopping to breath. “That is the best water I have ever had.”
“Water?” Max raised an eyebrow.
“Yes, I like water.” She took another mouthful then poured some of the crystal-clear liquid out on the deck.
“That’s boring.” Ginger took it back, watching as the contents flowing from the flask turn back to rum as soon as she held the item again. She immediately passed it to Max.
“Oh, that’s cool.” He watched the liquid turn to cider, unable to stop smiling at how ridiculous the item was. “It’s a flask that contains your favorite drink.”
“And it doesn’t seem to run out.” Ginger added.
“I know, right?” Max kept pouring cider on the deck.
“That is neat and all,” Alastair cleared his throat again. “But this ship is still sinking. So, you know.” He finished by turning and walking toward the lifeboats.
Max put an end to the infinite stream of cider pooling around his boots and placed the flask back on his belt. “Kira is going to love this.”
“Ten bucks says it gives her soda.” Ginger wrapped her arm around his and started walking.
“It definitely will, she loves sweet stuff.” Farn followed.
Max leaned into Ginger as they began walking toward the lifeboats, feeling like, for the first time in months, everything might be okay. Even after everything Nix had said might be heading his way, for now, he could move forward. He slowed as soon as he saw Drake heading in the same direction.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
Ginger’s son pointed a finger toward the side of the ship. “Ah, the umm, lifeboats.”
“Oh no you don’t. You crashed my ship,” Max pointed at the Cloudbreaker where it lay. “It’s not beyond saving, so you’re going to have to stay and wait for it to auto-repair enough to fly.”
“What? It could be at the bottom of the ocean by then.”
“Probably keep the hatch closed then.” Max kept walking.
Piper let out a laugh at her brother.
Ginger smiled back at her daughter. “Oh, Piper dear, go help your brother, would you?”
“What?” She stopped laughing.
“Good luck.” Max waved behind him as he continued walking. “And don’t worry, I have a feeling everything will work out fine.”
Logs
Checkpoint Systems Message Boards: One night after the Auction of Souls
Topic: I might be cursed
ChronicTheHedgehog69: Okay so I won a ticket to ride the Night Queen and happened to be there last night when the shit hit the fan and I mean really hit the fan like it went everywhere.
I’m starting to think that I might be cursed.
First I get killed during that whole thing with the dragons a year and a half ago and now someone spawns a freaking Nightmare on a ship that I happen to be riding on.
PinochioNipples: Tell me about it. I was there too when the Void popped out of that auction thing they had going on. All I remember was looking at some kind of cloud for a few seconds before being sent back to spawn. From what I heard from a friend I went with, my body turned into a monster and went around murdering fools. My boyfriend is still not speaking to me after I apparently stabbed him with a katana.
I don’t even know where my body found a katana.
I’m a mage. ¯_(ツ)_/¯
HelveticaNue: What was the auction for?
PinochioNipples: It was some kind of thing for the super high level Houses. Like rulers of Noctem level. I don’t know what was up for bidding, but it was called the Auction of Souls, so, that’s creepy.
ChronicTheHedgehog69: That’s messed up.
EMPIREriot: I know, what kind of overdramatic name is that. It sounds like something out of a bad fantasy book.
Grindstone: Hello everyone. I trust your evening is going well. I happened to have searched the name of my auction and thought I should respond here.
First, I will start by saying that the auction in question was meant to be an upscale event for the rulers of Noctem. The items up for sale were a mixture of rare finds and unbound contracts, hence the name.
Second, I will say that the Nightmare was smuggled abroad the Night Queen by a member of the House of Silver Tongues as part of a misguided assassination attempt on the rest of Noctem’s rulers. It was one of many attempts perpetrated through the night.
And lastly, I will say that we have decided not to hold another event like this. To be honest, Noctem’s rulers as well as a number of other lords and ladies in attendance, are animals. I would not trust them with my take out order let alone an entire city.
That is all I have to say about the subject.
I_NO_IM_GOOD: Okay so that last guy is full of crap. The Lady of the Silver Tongues was nowhere near the Night Queen. And from what I hear, House Lockheart was at the Auction. So you do that math there. It’s no surprise that the Night Queen ended up in the ocean.
Grindstone: Clearly this person is a plant working for the Silver Tongues to help cover their tracks and spread misinformation. Although, I will add that while House Lockheart was in attendance they were not the root cause of the airships demise.
I_NO_IM_GOOD: Not lying. Lockheart did it.
ChronicTheHedgehog69: I heard it was House Boar and that’s why they just lost their throne.
TheUnseen: I heard it was Winter Moon, they just got overthrown too on the same night. I’m just glad those were the only two cities to change leadership. I don’t want a repeat of what happened back when the Serpents fell.
Grindstone: You are free to believe what you want, even if you are wrong.
ChronicTheHedgehog69: Don’t you tell us what to think we know better than to trust anything on the internet.
Message sent one day after the Auction of Souls
To: MaxDamage24
From: GingerSnaps
Subject: Can we talk?
Hey Wyatt,
A lot of stuff has happened and I know things aren’t exactly back to normal. But I was wondering if you might okay with not seeing each other online for a couple days. I kind of want to talk first. In person.
I know that expecting you to fly up to Massachusetts just to talk is sort of unreasonable, but still, I really want to see
the real you.
Plus, you can get out of Florida for a few days, and that’s always good.
P.S. Florida sucks.
Bye love!
-Marisa
Checkpoint Systems Message Boards: Two nights after the Auction of Souls
Topic: How many players has the new Death Grip killed so far?
TheNoctemTimes: I’m just curious if her body count is anything like the old Death Grip.
Hoover: Yes Farnsworth is a friggin monster. I was the guy recording when she killed Tusker in Torn months back. Still gives me nightmares.
JustaSlimegirl: I heard she killed Cassius of the Silver Tongues without a second thought aboard the Night Queen.
TheNoctemTimes: She doesn’t seem to drag out her kills though like the old Death Grip did. That’s what made me curious. I was wondering if she might be a kinder gentler sort of Death Grip.
Skellingham: I ran into her with a friend of mine aboard the Night Queen the other day when Void attacked. She actually helped us. Protected us and told us to head to the theater where the auction thing was happening. The lords inside helped us stay alive for a bit. It kinda fell apart eventually and monsters started pouring in from the balconies so we died anyway, but that doesn’t change the fact that she tried.
My thoughts, the new Death Grip is a good person.
TheNoctemTimes: That’s not as good a headline as I was hoping for but it is an interesting take. Maybe House Lockheart isn’t as scary as everyone makes them out to be.
Aawil: Tell that to someone that hasn’t been blown up by them… twice.
- Lucem Bounty Board -
WANTED: MagnificentSeven
Reward: 3 plates of hard to whoever executes her.
Post Comments:
BullShifters: Dang, 3 plates of hard, that’s, like, $1000 bucks! What in hell did she do to piss off the Silver Tongues?
TheWhiteSuit: I don’t know but I could get in on that action.
HelveticaNue: Wait, the MagnificentSeven is one person? What kind of confusing name is that?
Puddin: Apparently she was one of the Silver Tongues’ Royal Assistants, but betrayed them and stole two contract items from Leftwitch. Pretty savage if you ask me.
I_NO_IM_GOOD: That’s awful, what kind of person steals from their own house? I hope she gets executed several times over. From what I understand the bounty is standing, so it can be claimed multiple times. And she’s still a low level so it’s easy pickings. I’d hate to be her right about now.
BullShifters: Just found out she swapped teams over to ol’Lockheart and tamed a dire scalefang as a pet.
TheWhiteSuit: Yeah, no thanks. I don’t want any of that noise. Not looking to make enemies of Lockheart.
Puddin: That is BAD… ASS. Wish I could join up with them.
Message sent two days after the auction
To: MagnificentSeven
From: GingerSnaps
Subject: Time to start earning your keep.
I’ve attached a link to a job posting. We have a mutual friend that can pull some strings to get you in.
I think you can figure out the rest.
Good luck you magnificent accountant. :)
Sincerely, your boss, Ginger
Epilogue
Karen Write sat in an extravagant conference room across from a man in a plain gray suit. She tried her best not to sweat as she finished up her second interview.
“Well, everything looks good and your references all had wonderful things to say. Musk, Gates, very nice comments all around. Especially Mr. Jobs. Wait, isn’t he dead?”
Karen suppressed a full body cringe.
Really, Ginger? Could you have at least come up with fake references that are actually alive? I knew I should have gone with my normal resume.
“Ah, yes, sorry, different Mr. Jobs, ah, not the dead one.” She winced at her own lie.
“Oh yes, that makes sense.” The man across the table shuffled a stack of resumes. “When would you be able to start?”
“Immediately.” She settled back in her chair not wanting to seem too desperate. “I don’t like to waste time.”
“That’s what I like to hear from an accountant.” He closed a folder on the table. “And would you need any help relocating to be near our headquarters?”
“I should be fine.” She gave him her most professional smile. “I have some good friends that should be able to help me move.”
“Perfect.” He stood up and walked her to the door, holding out his hand to shake. “I look forward to working with you.”
“As do I.” She shook his hand with just the right amount of pressure then stepped out into the hall.
Karen smoothed out a wrinkle in her suit pants and walked away, her heels clicking on the floor at an even pace. Tapping the button for the elevator, she remarked to herself that at least it had doors, unlike the lift aboard the Night Queen. She checked her watch as she waited. Not that she wasn’t already aware of the time. She just wanted to look busy. Eventually, the elevator doors opened and she stepped inside.
Karen waited the right amount of time to make sure there were no other passengers waiting before pressing the close door button. As soon as she was alone, she took a breath.
Then she did a little dance.
“Yes yes yes yes yes!” She twirled in a circle. “I have a real job!”
She still couldn’t believe how her life had turned around. Sure, she had to move to a new state, but that wasn’t a problem, especially with her new salary on top of what Lockheart was paying her.
Karen took one more victory lap around the spacious elevator, then settled back to the center of the box and straightened her blazer just as the doors opened.
She promptly walked out into the massive lobby, only stopping for a moment to pull out her phone and send a quick message in House Lockheart’s text channel. All it said was two words.
I’m in.
She started for the door, but stopped again to take one long look up at the building that she would be working in from now on. Beautiful fabric banners hung past several floors on either side of the two-story company logo adorning the wall. She smiled as she read it.
Checkpoint Systems.
From one of the balconies, she caught a familiar face looking down. It was odd seeing the Death Grip out of her armor. The woman nodded.
Karen returned the gesture without being obvious before making for the door. It was all falling into place.
Nix couldn’t hide forever.
All they had to do was follow the money.
Wyatt stood nervously on the porch of a house in Haverhill, Massachusetts. He wore a plain backpack full of clothes and toiletries and held a bouquet of gas station flowers in his sweaty hand.
“Hi Marisa, so glad I came up. What would you like to talk about?” Wyatt rehearsed a greeting, feeling a bead of sweat form on his bald head.
“I knew I should have worn a hat.” He wished they could have just met online; at least he had hair when logged in as Max. He flexed his bad hand as he remembered what it felt like online where his wrist didn’t hurt.
Oh well, she wanted to talk in person, and that was good enough for him. Plus, he wanted to see her too.
Finally he reached up to knock on the door, only to stop just before touching. Of course, that was when the door flew open.
“You’ve been out here for fifteen minutes already.” Marisa stood in the doorway staring at him. “If you don’t knock, it makes things awkward.”
“Sorry.” Wyatt couldn’t help but smile, he had forgotten how short she was. “I, ah, got you these flowers.”
“Oh, thanks.” She took one unimpressed glance at the bouquet. “They’re… flowers.”
“Yeah, by definition they are.” He held out a small plastic box. “Oh, and I got you these mints. I wanted to get you candy or something, but the gas station didn’t have anything nice. So, yeah, mints.”
“They’re open already.” She stared at the offering without ta
king the container.
“Yeah, yeah, they are. I’ve been on a plane all day, I was afraid my breath was bad, so I had one. Or a few.” He reached forward and placed the plastic container in her hand as if feeding an animal at the zoo, equally afraid of being bitten as well as scaring her off.
She popped a couple mints into her mouth and bit them while continuing to stare at him.
“Okay, here we go then.” He took a breath. “So I know that I’ve been a jerk, obsessed with Nix for the last few months. And I’ll admit that I went down a dark path for a little while there. For that, I’m sorry. But if there is one thing I know, it’s that things would have been much worse without you.” He calmed down, feeling better for having said what he had flown all the way there for.
“I know.” She bit her bottom lip. “That’s not why I asked you up here.”
“Sure, sure, then, whatever you want to talk about is good too.”
“That was a lie, I don’t really want to talk.” She leaned against the side of the door frame.
Wyatt froze for a second. “I’m not sure–”
“The kids are spending the night at friends’ houses.” She immediately smiled, looking a little guilty.
“Ah, okay.” Wyatt processed that information, then coughed. “Oh.”
“Yeah.”
“So no awkward talk, then?”
“Oh, things are definitely going to get awkward, we just won’t be talking.” She gave him a wink, suddenly resembling Ginger a bit more.
“I see.”
“Yes.”
They both stood there for a moment, staring at each other like a couple idiots.
Then she leaned forward and kissed him, standing on her toes and holding onto the door frame for balance. Wyatt slid his arms around her to hold her up while he kissed her back as gently as he could.
